CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Political systems are the formal and informal political processes by which decisions are made concerning the employment, production and distribution of resources in any given society. Formal political institutions can determine the method for electing leaders; the roles and responsibilities of the chief and legislature; the organisation of political representation and also the accountability and oversight of the state. Informal and customary political systems, norms and rules can operate within or alongside these formal political institutions. The development of a political system that provides opportunities for all, including the poor, to influence decision-making, is a vital concern for society (Scott & Mcloughlin, 2014, p. 7).

Kaberry and Chilver (1961, p. 355) narrated that before the coming of Europeans to Africa, the African indigenous political systems were the only system of leadership practised in the continent. The African society, Cameroon inclusive, was led through traditional political systems setup on indigenous customary laws which were not written but passed on from one generation to another through storytelling, initiation and indoctrination.

The political evolution of Cameroon is very complex on account of the differences in the culture and political thinking of the three countries which ruled it. Germany ruled Cameroon from 1884 to 1915 as a colony and in 1916 Cameroon was divided between Britain and France following the defeat of the Germans in Cameroon in 1916 (Ngoh, 1979, p. 1).

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Cameroon. Portuguese sailors, employed by Fernando Gomez, a rich Lisbon merchant, were the first Europeans to enter the coastal waters of Cameroon in the early 1470s. When the Portuguese arrived, they were fascinated by the copious supply of prawns around River Wouri which they named “Rio dos Camaroes”, meaning the river of prawns. Attracted by trading possibilities, they established contact with the coastal natives who were the Doualas under their traditional political system. In the 17th century, the Dutch displaced the Portuguese in Cameroon and established trading stations. The Dutch were, in turn, succeeded by the British in the 18th Century and, under the British, the Cameroon natives were introduced to Western laws and political systems. After 1820, the British negotiated treaties with the Douala chiefs, abolishing human sacrifices, superstition, and the slave trade (Ngoh, 1979, p. 1).

The chieftaincy institution in Africa and particularly in Cameroon represents the oldest politico-administrative institution of governance that predates the colonial intrusion. Even with the advent of colonial rule, this institution incarnated by the chief was used to consolidate colonial influence and governance in Cameroon. The effective politico-administrative organization of chieftaincy coupled with the traditional system governance explains why they were co-opted as collaborators by the colonial administrators (Ngam & Saturnin, 2020, p. 4).

The term chieftaincy is the relics of the multiple socio-political organisations that characterised pre-colonial African states before the advent of colonial rule and comprises a greater part of what is known as the traditional political system today. Chieftaincy is first and foremost a political unit created out of a multitude of kin groups all centred on a leader (Eyenga, 2015, p.68). The word “traditional” refers to the historic roots of leadership, which legitimizes the execution of power. There are many existing forms of traditional leadership.

The political system in Cameroon includes traditional authorities at different levels. The legal framework is set by the earlier-cited decree of 1977, which recognizes and assigns roles to traditional authority. Yet academics and the Cameroonian legislator are at odds with each other as to the role of traditional authority today. The 1977 decree organizes traditional chiefdoms on a territorial basis following a pyramid of three, the highest of which is the First Class chiefdom. This legal instrument represents a verbatim taking over of legislation on the same subject under French colonial administration (Order No. 224 of 4 February 1933 defining the status of indigenous chiefs) (Cheka, 2008, p. 67-89).

The most recent improvements in the traditional political system are the putting into the function of regional assemblies in Cameroon with a House of Chiefs which originated from the British Colonial rule in Southern Cameroons which had an indirect rule as policy. The president of the House of Chiefs in the regional assembly is by statute the Vice President of the Assembly. This is one of the key moves by Cameroon’s legislature and government to integrate the role of the traditional political system into government to foster development (Chem-Langhe, 1983, p. 668).

The traditional political system has been very instrumental in galvanising development for their communities, though, faced with several challenges and controversial positions with the formal political system. Within the Buea Municipality, in particular, the natives of the Metropolitan Municipality are called the Bakweries with a well organised traditional political structure. The Bakwerians of Buea Municipality are a culturally organised people with a complex traditional political system anchored on their traditional beliefs which helps to bring order to their society (Monono, Oduro, Sarfo-Mensah, & Nana, 2016, p. 84).

The traditional political system of the Bakwerians of Buea Municipality is organised under a chieftaincy structure with several chiefs of different communities and a single Paramount Chief who coordinates the efforts of the other chiefs in leading the people (Manyi, 2007, p. 68).

The ability of the traditional authorities to govern the people has often than not been contested by the constitutional political system, however, they are recognised as custodians of the tradition and auxiliary to the constitutional political system. Despite their existence from the roots of the foundations of Cameroon, it remains vital to examine the role these traditional authorities play in the development of their communities.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Despite the beliefs of the common man in Buea Municipality that traditional authorities are the true representative of the people and their ancestral world, the integration of the traditional political system into the formal system of governance in Cameroon is questionable. Traditional authorities are only given auxiliary roles in leading society.

The constitutional government in Cameroon most often ignore the role of traditional authorities in vital areas such as socio-economic development and sustainable development of natural resources relegating them to insignificant levels. Consequently, community development becomes so challenging because grass-root leaders from the traditional political system are relegated to second class positions. The is much empirical evidence to support the fact that the Bakwerians from the days of old were economically very resilient and development-oriented but were only led by their traditional authorities to such successes. These challenges and a lot more have pushed this research to investigate the role of the traditional political system on the development of Cameroon, specifically Buea Municipality.

1.3 Research questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study:

1.3.1 General Research Question

What role do traditional authorities play in the development of Buea Municipality?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What is the role traditional political system in the socio-economic development of Buea Municipality?
2. To what extent can traditional authorities ensure sustainable development of natural resources in Buea Municipality?
3. What is the relationship between the traditional political system and development in Buea Municipality?

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